Alief ISD embraced the magic of Lunar New Year with incredible company, including Alief ISD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Mays and Houston Mayor John Whitmire. The Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and right here in Houston, Texas.
![Band standing together preparing to play music for the festival](https://www.wegopublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/uuid1054939A-67A4-4708-AF40-CA1E3C18FE16library1type1mode1loctruecaptrue-1024x690.jpeg)
Alief ISD and the Houston International Community united to celebrate this annual festival at the Marshall Center for Advanced Careers on February 10th. Attendees honored traditions with fun activities and events, while supporting Alief ISD students, families, and staff.
![Group photo at the lunar new year festival](https://www.wegopublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/uuid51595907-DC14-4CFE-92A4-D589EA3909C3library1type1mode1loctruecaptrue-1024x682.jpeg)
![Group picture taken at Alief ISD’s lunar new year festival](https://www.wegopublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/uuid1615E0DF-1CDF-4D4D-84A5-2B5B20BFDE38library1type1mode1loctruecaptrue-1024x660.jpeg)
Additionally, community members wore festive colors to welcome the year of the dragon with red, gold, or yellow, also featured on their lucky envelopes (filled with money to welcome a prosperous year ahead.) Fun fact: red often represents good fortune and happiness while gold often represents wealth. Another fun fact: this fun-filled festival was a huge success, and is projected to occur annually!
![Group picture at festival](https://www.wegopublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/uuid8A8CD2B4-60DA-428F-91DA-3E7263576193library1type1mode1loctruecaptrue-1024x682.jpeg)
Sources: Alief ISD Facebook and National Museum of Asian Art
Blog by: Nicole Sanchez, Intern, UT Austin